Cigarettes and Sass (reupload)

Chapter 8

Gerard sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he gazed down at his story board. He was working hard on the production of the Breakfast monkey but his team were incredibly efficient and he had already found himself with a bit of time to just relax. He was calmly making up some mock story boards for possible episode ideas, sipping coffee from a takeout cup and thinking about his weekend.

He had spent all of Sunday with Frank, watching movies and chatting. They had shared a few kisses but mostly they just cuddled together and Gerard was still smiling over it. He felt like he finally knew enough about Frank to consider him a friend which was step closer to the relationship status he was dreaming of. He knew that Frank wanted to have sex and get things moving quickly, but that just made Gerard respect him even more for waiting.

Gerard hadn't yet spoken to Brian since he had abandoned him with Matt at the restaurant. He hoped he was okay, he hadn't even seen him at work that day.

Gerard sat up as he realised this and blinked stupidly, his pencil dropping from his slackened fingers. Was Brian in today? If he wasn't, then why not? Gerard knew it was silly to assume that Brian had called in sick because of him but he couldn't stop the thought from crossing his mind.

Gerard sipped his coffee and looked to his office door, considering going out on a hunt for Brian. He supposed he did owe him an apology for abandoning him on their date, and it would be good to see if he was okay. It wasn't like he was doing anything important anyway, and everyone would be leaving within the next hour so knowing Brian he probably wasn't doing anything important either.

Gerard shrugged and put down his cup, shoving his chair back after making up his mind to find Brian. He placed the storyboards in a drawer and then left his office in search of the younger man, strolling past his team who were working outside his office to go down to another department.

Being still vaguely new Brian didn't have his own office, but worked in a large space with lots of other people. He had his own drawing desk of course, and as Gerard made his way through the room he knew Brian worked in he smiled when he saw his dark hair from behind. He was hunched over something, his hand flying across the page as he sketched quickly and Gerard hesitated, wondering whether he should just go before figuring Brian always interrupted him so he walked over to him anyway and tapped his shoulder.

Brian jumped a little but not enough to ruin his drawing, his head turning whilst his hand still moved though he dropped his pencil when he saw Gerard and beamed widely at him as he turned properly.

"Gerard hi! What you doing here?" He beamed, the happiness in his expression making Gerard feel bad for not coming and apologising to him earlier and he forced a smile as he pulled a cigarette from his pocket.

"Cigarette break?" He asked softly, Brian jumping at the chance and nodding eagerly as he got up and grabbed his own packet of Marlboro's.

"Sure, lead the way." He winked, abandoning his desk as he followed Gerard back into the corridors and into the elevator. Gerard jabbed the button for the top floor and leant against the side of the lift as he gazed at Brian. The guy was looking ridiculously happy which Gerard found kind of strange, he thought he'd be a little put out about their date.

"So erm... I'm sorry about Saturday night." He offered, idly playing with his cigarette as he waited for the elevator to reach its destination. "I had a really nice time until erm... till I had to go." He coughed, Brian smiling and shrugging off his apology.

"Don't worry about it man, I had great time anyway." He assured him, the elevator coming to a stop and the two men stepped out into the much less impressive looking corridor at the top of the building. The walls here were just plain stone and it was only a short walk until they stepped out of a fire escape door onto the roof of the tall building.